A landmark Family Protection Bill is set to be introduced to Tonga's Parliament soon and is currently undergoing public consultations.

The Bill was initiated by the Women’s Affairs Division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, with its stated intention of ensuring the protection of all persons who experience domestic violence.

The legal objective of the bill is to put in place an Act that will provide for a series of new laws, initiatives and to employ a group of counsellors to assist victims and complainants of domestic violence.

One of the proposed laws is the granting of a “Protection Order” to a complainant. A Protection Order would place restrictions on the respondent (the accused). According to the proposed bill, a person who “breaches the protection order commits domestic violence”.

Some of the standard conditions of the protection order state that the respondent must not threaten, abuse or economically deprive the complainant. The Protection Order may also include the custody of children.

Some of the initiatives proposed include the introduction of public awareness programmes with the approval of the Prime Minister, and conducting education programmes about family violence.

The bill also proposes the appointment of registered counsellors who will assist the courts and the complainants and victims of domestic violence.

 Penalties and liabilities include a conviction, six months imprisonment and a fine of $250 (first offence), 12 months’ imprisonment or a fine of $1000 (second offence), 3 years imprisonment and a fine of $5000.